Petting Zoo

Pa manages a Tractor Supply store. Last weekend he arranged it so that an area farm set up a petting zoo at the store. So, of course, we had to go given Ellie's love of animals; and, we're all so glad we did - she had a ball! In fact, she didn't stop talking about it until mid-week which I think is close to an eternity in terms of toddler time. Anyhow, we saw goats, horses, chickens, a camel, a llama and a kangaroo. The best part was Ellie got to ride "Big Snowflake" twice. She was a natural in the saddle - she sat up tall and held on tight and enjoyed every minute of it. It was wonderful!

-ED

Show us the flower on your butt

Fasten your seatbelts!

The terrible two's are under way (and she's not even two yet). For the last week or so, Ellie has been more prone to being fussy or pitching fits. As such, we had our suspicions but we were holding out hope for an illness or something of that sort; however, this weekend left no doubt as to what we are dealing with. Heck, we must have put her in time-out a dozen times. There was even one time in the car when, I swear, she sounded as though she was possessed. Please send your prayers and words of advice.

-ED

Boo boos

On our walk tonight I asked Ellie where she got the boo boo on her finger.

Her response: "From the boo boo store"

-EM

It's a zoo out there.

Everyone (me, EM, Papa and Nanny; that would be essentially everyone in Ellie's world, minus a few notable exceptions) took off of work today (yes, Nanny works) in order to escort Ellie on her first trip to the zoo. We managed to stay dry and in doing so saw: pretty flowers, frogs, snakes, alligators eating, rhinos, elephants, sea lions, polar bears, overly affectionate chimps, geese, baboons, turtles, penguins (we didn't have the heart to tell her they were actually puffins) and I'm sure I'm leaving a thing or two out. Anyhow, it was a good time and everyone was sufficiently tired when we left. Ellie's favorite part: the "Rockin' Safari Ride" - go figure.

-ED

Sneaky

When I turn my back this is where Ellie likes to go.
She loves playing Elmo games. This one is her favorite.

-EM

Mommy, Mommy. . . .

Ellie has learned my name. Yesterday I caught her twice calling me Theresa. The first time it took me by surprise. The second time I was sure. I told ED. He did not hear it until this morning.

Like every morning, I left for work before Ellie woke up. ED overheard Ellie in the crib. At first she called out Mommy, Mommy. Then she called out Theresa, Theresa.

-EM

Possessive

I'm sure if we tried to correct her, and if she were a bit older, Ellie would ask: "If a ball can be:

• yours
• mommy's
• daddy's
• nanny's
• or papa's

why can't it be mines?"

But why bother with that right now? It's so darn cute when she says something is "mines" that we don't mind if she stands uncorrected for the foreseeable future. That said, issues of sharing (or not) is something we will definitely be working on sooner rather than later.

-ED